Horizons Online Edition

Issue date: 11/10/06 Section: Diversions

If you are looking for that special date place, or just an eventful night on the town, we highly recommend "Willow Creek Inn." This family owned restaurant, since 1877, serves up that home cooked goodness you have been longing for since being away from home.

The restaurant, located on Willow Creek, is easily noticeable from the road. The small restaurant is a two story house; the lower level designed specifically for the restaurant, and the upper level designed for the family. As you enter the restaurant, you start off in the foyer of the house. You will be seated in one of two rooms.

The room on the right is decorated like a traditional dining room with bright colors and a handful of tables. The main section of the restaurant contains an elaborate wooden bar with several bar stools and a very friendly bartender. In the back of the room, several high top bar tables that seat four, are genuinely placed near windows that look out in to a lush forest area with beautifully lit gazebos. In the center of the room, a few more tables are scattered about, providing a comfortable atmosphere for the traditional diner.

Willow Creek Inn provides two distinct tables meant for that great date. Both tables are located in the main section of the dining room. One table is placed near a bay window, but is tucked away so the couple can enjoy their special evening together. For a more romantic table, a small, yet cozy fireplace is directly aside a table that seats two. Although the table is near the kitchen, the noise level is surprisingly quiet, allowing a couple to enjoy their meal in peace and romance.

We arrived at the restaurant at 5:45 p.m. on a Saturday evening and were immediately seated in the main dining section adjacent to Bud Tyndale, a guitarist/singer that plays regularly at the restaurant. The restaurant hosts live music every Friday and Saturday evening, so reservations are occasionally necessary, but we were lucky to grab one of the few remaining tables prior to Tyndale's start.

Tyndale plays on a regular basis for the restaurant and also teaches harmonica and guitar lessons. He provides each table with a flyer that has a list of over 100 songs that he plays by either request or by choice and gladly sings a special birthday song for any guest. The artist provided that special touch for the evening and definitely kicked up the atmosphere for the dining occasion.

Now, for the main attraction of the restaurant, dinner! The menu, fulfilled with a variety of appetizers, sandwiches, and entrees, will delight anyone's taste buds. The prices are moderate, ranging from $10 to $20 for a scrumptious meal. To begin the festivities, we ordered blackened Cajun chicken as well as an order of BBQ pork ribs. Each meal came with a choice of baked potato, rice pilaf, or French fries, and a choice of soup or salad. The soup and salad were brought out within three minutes of ordering, and just shy of 15 minutes later, the meal arrived.

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